House speaker tries to woo gun makers to Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — House Speaker Davy Carter is wooing a pair of gun manufacturers to Arkansas, telling the companies they should look at the state if they’re concerned about new firearms restrictions elsewhere.

Carter’s office on Monday released letters the Republican from Cabot sent to the chief operating officers of Beretta USA Corp. and Magpul Industries Corp., encouraging the manufacturers to look at Arkansas if they’re interested in relocating.

Colorado-based Magpul has vowed to begin making ammunition magazines elsewhere after that state approved sweeping new gun control laws. Beretta is based in Maryland, which is considering an assault weapons ban.

Carter told both companies in the letters that Arkansas would be a “friend” to their industry.

Republican lawmakers in several other states have made similar pitches to the companies.